Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-06

ployees of the National Pressed Brick Co,
at Waterloo, in this county, named Wesley
Kidweli, Douglass Kidwell, Alfred kidweil.
VIM. Kdwell, and Albert Barrett, came to
this city yesterday on carousa. They
drank heavily all day, and shortly before
going to the depot they went into Hamers-
I'VE saloon and drank another round. Ham
ersly said they were so drunk that they
could not find the handles on the beer mugs
Shortly before o'clock in the evening they
proceeded to the depot and boarded the
train then about to start for Washington,
and seating themselves in one OF the coaches
began smoking and making themselves
noisy and disagreeable. Upon being told
by brakeman to 60 in the rear car II they
wanted to smoke, they replied that they
would not ride in 8 damned niger car.
Two police officers were present, and alter
some little conversation had ensued be-
tween them and the drunken crowd, the
five men were allowed to remain on 'ne
train after promising to behave themselves
The party later went into the smoking car
and soon after the train started for Wash
ington When the conductor (ir. Harry
Myers entered the car where they were
seated, one of the party said, Here are
YOUR God ID tickets" and in other ways
made themselves insolent and noisy, so
much so that it was determined TO put them
off at st. Asaph Junction, the next station.
When the train had stopped the conduc-
tor called On Baggagemaster Samuel Car
nett to eject one of them. After consider.
able struggling this was done; not, how
ever, until the other four had taken an
active part in the afiray. Finally ali OF them
we're on the outside, but to accomplish this
1t had taken all the train crew except the
fireman. During the row Engineer James
Davis was struck on the left side of his face
with brick and very serious wound was
inflicted Everybody else was more or less
damaged. The rioters then would not
allow any of the crew to get on the train,
and in the consequent struggle one of the
men, said to be VIM. Kidwell, only II
years Of age, rushed at Brakeman George
Wertenbaker, who had stepped upon the
platform of one of the cars, and, with an
oath, said "I'l fix YOU" at the same time
throwing 8 heavy stone at him, which
struck him in the abdomen just below the
sternum. The unfortunate young man
sank to the ground without gtoan, and in
a short time breathed his last. The train
started to move amidst shower of stones.
The now partially sobered gang ran as hard
as their legs could carry them in tho direc-
ton OF Waterloo, for which place they were
hound, and the train moved on toward
Wac Nington. The unfortunate Mr.. Werten-
haker bowed no sign of violent death be-
vond little frothy blood which dubbed
from his nos trils. The cause of death was
an internal he.norrhage.
BEFORE the trsl.o left st. Asaph's the police
Of tnis city and Washington were mott
fed and in a few minutes Officers Gilbert
Simpsou and Patrick Hayes, of this city,
we're hurrying toward tbs long orlGge. one
of the men was caught near the junction,
and WAS put in safe hands for ke9plng. Inc
officers continued on their way aHd came
up to three more of the crowd just as the
south bound train stopped and Detectives
Wheeler and Mattingly, Sergt. Hollinberger
and Officers Sutton and Perry, OF the Wash
ington force, got OIL. The engineer, IL
seems, saw the men running up the ROAD,
and believing them to be the parties want
ed, stopped his train, and with the AleXan-
dria police behind and the Washington Of
ficers in front the gang were surrounded,
and the Alexandria officers took them pris.
oners. This was south of the brick yards.
They were brought to this city and locked
up with their companion. Officer Hayes,
accompanied now by Officer VIM. Bontz, re-
turned on the next train. and arrested Wes-
lev Kidwell at his boarding house at Water
loo. Three of the prisoners are brothers
and the other Kidwell cousin. They are
natives of Jack Redd's Cross Roads, near
Surrattsville, in Prince Georges county, Md.
Until they were locked up not one of them
was aware that any one had been killed,
and they manifested considerable trepida'
ton when the news was told them.
A very affecting scene occurred in connec-
ton with young Mr.. Wertenbaker's death.
Shortly after the local train reached WASH
ingtou word was sent TO the house OF the
deceased's father that his son was dead. Inc
messenger sent to break the news had hard
" done so when Mr.. Wertenbaker fell heavi-
" to the floor When assistance reached
him he was found TO be insensible. a physt-
elan was quickly summoned. who pro-
nouuced the patients life to be in pre-
earious condition. The shock was so great
as to almost paralyze his nervous system.
George Wertenbaker, the deceased, was n
nephew of COL G. G. Wertenbaker, OF
the Third Virginia regiment, and was en-.
terng his 18th year. He WAS quite tall and
we'll built. He had we'll formed head, and
his features indicated man of much intelli.
gence The officials at the Baltimore and
Potomac depot spoke very highly OF the de-
ceased, and stated that while employed IN
the service of the company he was always
found faithful and energetic. Young Vert
eabaker was prominent member OF the
Corcoran Cadets, and was highly esteemed
by his comrades
The police of Washington acted very
promptly in aiding the Alexandria police
to arrest the murderer and his associates.
Lieut.. Amiss arrested VIM. Fields at the
south end OF the Long bridge on suspicion
90 being one of the parties. Fields answered
sne description of William kidwell. The
left side of his face was bleeding from cut,
ard his story that the wound was caused by
mule kicking him at Mr. Windsor's brick
ya.d at Waterloo appeared improbable. He
subsequently, ssid that the mules shoe
scraped his face. 1t gss afterwards learn
ed chat he got his cut in fight in CUES
iionsSle house on the Virginia side OF the
river. &c was released, as it was SHOWN
that be was not the party wanted.